2005 Year in Review

Health Department Flu Vaccine Schedule

The Whiteside County Health Department’s prevention program for vaccinating persons at high risk for influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia will begin October 3, 2005. Immunization is the most cost effective measure for reducing the impact of influenza when directed at persons most likely to experience complications. Given the uncertainties in doses and distribution, CDC recommends that the following priority groups receive Trivalent Inactivated Flu Vaccine until October 24, 2005: Persons aged greater than 65 years; residents of long term care facilities; persons aged 2-64 years with comorbid conditions; children aged 6-23 months; pregnant women; household contact and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months.

Whiteside County Health Department will be following these guidelines. Beginning October 24, 2005 all persons are eligible for vaccination.

Again this year, they will be administering the vaccine to any person aged six months or above who is at increased risk for complications of influenza. Two doses administered at least one month apart may be required for satisfactory antibody response among previously unvaccinated children less than nine years of age. Influenza vaccine must be administered annually usually starting in October for protection during the flu season.

This year prepared vaccine for 2005-2006 season will include A-Calilfornia-7-2004 (II3N2-like), A-New Caledonia-20-99-(HINI)-like and B-Shanghai-361-2002-like antigens.

The influenza illness is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, myalgia, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. Influenza can cause severe malaise lasting several days. More severe illnesses can result if pneumonia occurs.

The target groups for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination overlap. For persons who have not previously been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine administration should be encouraged concurrently with the influenza vaccine.

Streptococcus pneumonia is a bacteria that affects children and adults. The current pneumococcal vaccine is composed of 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria that cover 88% of the pneumococcal diseases in the United States. This vaccine is recommended for all persons 65 years and over, previously unvaccinated or persons who have not received the vaccine within five years and less than 65 years of age at the time of vaccination for a total of two doses.

Fee schedule for this year’s vaccines will be: Influenza $25 ($20 if paid day of service); Pneumococcal - $30. Medicare Part B will be billed for both vaccines if Medicare card is shown at time of visit. Anyone with questions regarding either vaccine may call the Health Department at 815-772-7411, extension 0 or the Rock Falls Branch Office at 815-626-2230, extension 303.

The following schedule includes clinic times and dates for 2005:

Monday, October 3: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. – Whiteside County Health Department Rock Falls Branch Office, 1300 W 2nd street.

Wednesday, October 5: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Erie, St. Ambrose Parish Hall, 5th and Main.

Thursday, October 6: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Morrison, Ebenezer Reformed Church, 309 East Park.

Saturday, October 15: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Whiteside County Health Department Rock Falls Branch Office, 1300 West 2nd.

Monday, October 17: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. – Whiteside County Health Department Rock Falls Branch Office, 1300 West 2nd.

Thursday, October 20: 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Sterling, Whiteside Senior Center, 1207 West 9th Street.

Thursday, October 20: 12-3 p.m. – Tampico, Ambulance Facility, 105 North Main.

Monday, October 24: 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Albany, United Methodist Church, 502 First Street.

Monday, October 24: 3-6 p.m. Whiteside County Health Department Rock Falls Branch Office, 1300 W. 2nd.

Wednesday, October 26: 12:30-4:30 p.m. – Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street.

Friday, October 28: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Prophetstown United Methodist Church, Lafayette and Highway 78.

Wednesday, November 2: 1-4 p.m. – Morrison, Whiteside County Health Department, 18929 Lincoln Road.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
September 25, 2005